Speed responsive switch



Feb. 11, 1941.

S. H. CALDWELL SPEED RESPONSIVE SWITCH Original Filed Oct. 5, 1956 FIGA.

FIG.3

INVENTOR STUA R T H.CALDWELL BY KM W W ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 11, 1941 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE SPEED RESPONSIVE SWITCH ration of Michigan Original application October 5, 1936, Serial No. 104,108, now Patent No. 2,134,028, dated October Divided and this application August 1, 1938, Serial No. 222,483

9 Claims.

The present invention relates to a circuit controlling means and more particularly to a switch combined with a vehicle speedometer, and constitutes a division of my application filed October 5, 1936, bearing Serial No. 104,108, now Patent No. 2,134,028, patented October 25, 1938.

It is an object of the present invention to provide a switch actuated by a movable portion of a vehicle speedometer.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a switch closed by a movable part of a speedometer and retained in circuit closing position throughout a predetermined range.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pair of interrelated switches operable by a speedometer.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a pair of switches, and means associated with one to open the other as the first is closed.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a plurality of switches controlled by a single operating member, together with means for opening one switch substantially simultaneously with closure of the next switch.

It is a further object of the present invention to provide a plurality of serial-1y operable switches in combination with novel means for preventing simultaneous closure of more than one switch.

Other objects, advantages and novel details of construction of this invention will be made more apparent as this description proceeds, especially when considered in connection with the accompanying drawing, wherein:

Figure 1 is a vertical sectional view of my switch shown connected in a typical circuit;

Figure 2 is a front elevation of my improved switch;

Figure 3 is a fragmentary perspective of a portion of my switch;

Figure 4 is a detail sectional view of another portion of my switch;

Figure 5 is yet another detail sectional View.

The switch disclosed herein is capable of numerous applications. In conformity with the patent statutes, I have chosen to illustrate a specific embodiment thereof as controlling a multiple-stage signal, or the like, but as will be readily apparent, I do not mean to be limited to the embodiment illustrated.

The system in which my switch is herein illusvtrated serves to emphasize one field of utility therefor, and will be briefly described.

A two-stage signal or the like indicated at H in Figure 1 is adapted to be connected to a source of current 41 by wire l2 which is connected to contacts 52 and 53. A pivoted armature carrying spaced contacts 50 and 58 is mounted adjacent contacts 52 and 59 and is adapted alternately to complete a circuit from source 41 to device I I through wires 13 and I4. Wire 13 has a resistance element 51 therein, for reducing the effectiveness of device ll.

Line 12 is further connected to two coils 45 and 51 in parallel relation, and the coils are connected to circuit making and breaking devices subsequently to be described. At present it is sufficient to observe that the circuit through coils 46 and 51 are completed serially, and the circuit through coil 46 is open just prior to closure of the circuit through coil 51.

Source 41 is grounded as at 28, device 11 is grounded at 53, and the circuits through coils 46 and 51 are eventually grounded at 45. Coils 46 and 51, if required, may include suitable resistance elements to insure a definite flow of current through device II.

The associated switch and speedometer shown generally at I5 in Figure 1 comprises a speedometer of the fly-ball governor type supported on the instrument panel of the body in a position to be readily observed by the operator. The speedometer is shown in Figure 1 as comprising a casing l6 having a dial I! secured to the forward end of the casing in any suitable manner and having a needle l8 supported in advance of the dial for movement across the face of the same. The needle 18 is secured to the front end of a shaft l9 journalled in the front wall of the casing and having the rear end operatively connected to a fiy-all governor 20, through the medium of suitable reduction gearing 2!. The governor 20 is of conventional construction having a shaft 22 journalled in opposite side walls of the casing and having collars supported on the shaft in axial spaced relationship for relative movement toward and away from each other. In the present instance, the collar 23 is secured to the shaft 22, and the opposed collar 24 is mounted on the shaft vfor axial sliding movement relative to the collar 23. The two collars are interconnected by means of weight carrying links 25, and the collar 24 is normally urged in a direction away from the collar 23 by means of a coil spring 26 surrounding the shaft 22 between the collars. In accordance with conventional practice, the weight carrying links are arranged in pairs having their outer ends respectively pivotally connected to the collars and having their inner ends pivotally connected .together through the medium of centrifugal weights 2?. The weights 2] move radially outwardly with respect to the axis of the shaft 22 in dependence upon the speed of rotation of said shaft and, as the weights are displaced outwardly by the action of centrifugal force, the collar 24 is moved against the action of the spring 20 toward the collar 23. As shown in Figure 1, the collar 24 is operatively connected to the drive gear 28 of the reduction gearing 2! by means of a crank 29 having the crank pin 33 engageable in an annular groove 3! formed in the collar 24. The arrangement is such that movement of the collar 2A axially toward the collar 23, under the influence by the weights 21, effects a swinging movement of the needle l8 over the face of the dial I! through the medium of the crank 29 and train of gearing 2|. The governor shaft 22 is rotated from a selected part of the power plant of the vehicle through the medium of a conventional speedometer drive cable 3! operatively connected to a shaft 32 journalled in the casing l6 and having a spirally toothed gear 33 secured thereto and meshing with correspondingly spiralled teeth on the governor shaft 22. Owing to the fact that the diameter of the gear 33 is substantially greater than the tooth portion of the shaft 22, it necessarily follows that the shaft 22 is rotated at a speed faster than the speed of the driving cable, and this practice is desirable in that it affords greater accuracy in indicating the speeds of the vehicle.

It has previously been stated that the device H is actuated by the speedometer I5, and this is accomplished herein without appreciably altering the construction of the speedometer unit. As shown in Figure 1, a contact segment 35 is secured to the indicating needle shaft IQ for rotation therewith as a unit and adapted to engage a contact clip 35 secured to a ring 31 of dielectric material rotatably mounted on the forward end of the casing 16 and having teeth on the periphery thereof adapted to mesh with a pinion 33 secured to the control shaft 39. The control shaft 39 is rotatably journalled on the casing and is provided with a control 40 positioned for convenient manipulation by the operator. The arrangement is such that manipulation of the control 40 varies the position of the contact clip 35 relative to the segment and this, of course, changes the speed at which the two contacts come into engagement with each other. In Figure 2 of the drawing, the segment is shown in a position where it has just engaged the contact clip 38, and it will be noted from this figure that the segment is so designed as to maintain this engagement throughout continued travel of the needle IS in the direction of the arrow 4|. It will be noted that the forward end of the contact clip 36 terminates in a pointer 42 adapted to overlap the dial l1 and cooperates with the indicia on the dial to guide theoperator when selecting the particular speed he desires the signal to function. For example, if the operator desires to be warned when the vehicle exceeds fifty miles per hour, the contact clip is adjusted until the pointer registers with the numeral 50 on the dial ll. This locates the contact clip 35 in a position to be engaged by the leading edge of the contact segment when this edge is moved by the needle shaft IE] to a position wherein it also registers with the numeral 50. As will be presently described, engagement of the cooperating contacts closes the circuit to the device H and the latter acts at a constant intensity.

The contact segment 35 is grounded through the casing 16 in the manner indicated by the reference character 45, and the contact clip 35 is electrically connected to one end of the coil 45.

Assuming that the contact segment moves into engagement with the contact clip 36, it will be noted that a circuit is closed through the coil 45, and energization of the latter causes the contact 50 to engage the contact 52. When this is accomplished, electrical energy is supplied through the line l3 to the device I l.

, Reference has been made to the fact that the intensity of the warning signal is increased when the speed of the vehicle substantially exceeds the preselected speed. The foregoing is accomplished in the present instance by providing a second contact clip 36' secured to the ring 31 adjacent the clip 35 and engageable with a second segment 35' secured to the needle shaft I9 for rotation as a unit with the segment 35. It will be observed from Figure 2 that the leading edge 55 of the segment 35 is spaced from the corresponding edge of the segment 35 in a direction opposite the direction of rotation indicated bythe arrow 4|. As a consequence, the segment 35' contacts with the clip 36 after the clip 36 engages the segment 35 to actuate the signal H. Just prior to engagement of the clip 36' with the contact segment 35, the insulating ring 55' on the periphery of the segment 35' engages a shoulder 60 formed on the clip 36 and disengages the latter from the segment 35 to break the circuit to the signal I I. Immediately after the clip 36 is disengaged from the segment 35 by the segment 35', an arcuate cam 56 on the front side of the latter contacts with the clip 35' in the manner shown in Figure 3, and closes a circuit to the coil 51 of the second relay. Energlzation of the coil 51 causes the contact 58 on the end of the armature 49 opposite the end having the contact 50, to engage the coil contact 59 and supply electrical energy through line I4 to the device II. The resistance in the conductor connecting the contact 50 to this button contact is omitted in the electrical connection of the contact 58 with the signal, so that a circuit of higher amperage is supplied to the device H.

While I have illustrated and described a particular embodiment of my invention in considerable detail, no unnecessary limitations should be understood therefrom.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A multiple switch comprising a support, an insulating ring mounted on said support for adjustment about its axis, two sets of contacts comprising a pair of resilient contacts carried by said ring and a pair of arcuate contacts, means supporting said arcuate contacts on said frame for movement as a unit about the axis of said ring, each of said arcuate contacts positioned to engage one of said first-mentioned resilient contacts upon movement of said pair of contacts about said axis, and means movable with said pair of arcuate contacts adapted to prevent engagement between one set of contacts during engagement of said other set of contacts.

2. A switch comprising a rotary shaft, a first arcuate contact carried thereby, a second arcuate contact carried thereby, having its leading edge circumferentially spaced from the leading edge of said first contact, a first and second resilient contact spaced apart circumferentially of said shaft a distance less than the spacing of said leading edges and positioned to engage said first and second arcuate contacts respectively upon rotation of said rotary shaft, and a continuous arcuate insulating cam carried by said second arcuate contact engageable with said first resilient contact upon rotation of said shaft and adapted to move and retain said first resilient contact out of engagement with said first arcuate contact just prior to engagement between said second arcuate contact and said second resilient contact.

3. A switch comprising a rotary shaft, a first arcuate contact carried thereby, a second arcuate contact carried thereby, having its leading edge circumferentially spaced from the leading edge of said first contact, a first and second resilient contact spaced apart circumferentially of said shaft a distance less than the spacing of said leading edges and positioned to engage said first and second arcuate contacts respectively upon rotation of said rotary shaft, and. a continuous arcuate insulating cam carried by said second arcuate contact engageable with said first resi1i ent contact upon rotation of said shaft and adapted to move and retain said first resilient contact out of engagement with said first arcuate contact just prior to engagement between said second arcuate contact and said second resilient contact, and means for adjusting said first and second resilient contacts as a unit about the axis of said shaft.

4. A switch comprising a supporting frame, a rotatable shaft, a first contact member carried by said shaft comprising a segmental circular plate having a circular contact surface at its periphery, a second contact member carried by said shaft forwardly of said first contact member comprising a segmental circular plate having its leading edge spaced circumferentially from the leading edge of said first contact member, a raised arcuate contact rib carried by the forward face of said second contact member, and insulating material carried by the peripheral edge of said second contact member, a first and second resilient contact carried by said frame spaced circumferentially apart about the axis of said shaft a distance less than the spacing of the leading edges of said contact members, said first resilient contact having a portion positioned to be engaged by the contact surface of said first contact member, and a portion positioned to be engaged by the insulating material of said second contact member and movable thereby to move said first portion out of contact with said contact portion of said first contact member, said second resilient contact having a portion positioned to be engaged by the arcuate contact rib upon rotation of said shaft.

5. A switch comprising a supporting frame, a rotatable shaft, a first contact member carried by said shaft comprising a segmental circular plate having a circular contact surface at its periphery, a second contact member carried by said shaft forwardly of said first contact member comprising a segmental circular plate having its leading edge spaced circumferentially from the leading edge of said first contact member, a raised arcuate contact rib carried by the forward face of said second contact member, and insulating material carried by the peripheral edge of said second contact member, a first and second resilient contact carried by said frame spaced circumferentially apart about the axis of said shaft a distance less than the spacing of the leading edges of said contact members, said first resilient contact having a portion positioned to be engaged by the contact surface of said first contact member, and a portion positioned to be engaged by the insulating material of said second contact member and movable thereby to move said first portion out of contact with said contact portion of said first contact member, said second resilient contact having a portion positioned to be en gaged by the arcuate contact rib upon rotation of said shaft, the leading edge of contact rib being spaced circumferentially rearwardly from the leading edge of said second contact member by an amount just slightly greater than the spacing of said resilient contacts whereby said first contacts are opened just prior to engagement between said second contacts and are maintained open during engagement between said second pair of contacts.

6. A switch comprising a supporting frame, a rotatable shaft, a first contact member carried by said shaft comprising a segmental circular plate having a circular contact surface at its periphery, a second contact member carried by said shaft forwardly of said first contact member comprising a segmental circular plate having its leading edge spaced circuinferentially from the leading edge of said first contact member, a raised arcuate contact rib carried by the forward face of said second contact member, and insulating material carried by the peripheral edge of said second contact member, a first and second resilient contact carried by said frame rearwardly of said contact members, projecting forwardly beyond the edges thereof, and spaced circumferentially apart about the axis of said shaft a distance less than the spacing of the leading edges of said contact members, said first resilient contact having a portion positioned to be engaged by the contact surface of said first contact member, and a portion positioned to be engaged by the insulating material of said second contact member and movable thereby to move said first portion out of contact with said contact portion of said first contact member, said second resilient contact having a portion projecting downwardly over the face of said second contact member and positioned to be engaged by the arcuate contact rib upon rotation of said shaft.

7. A switch comprising a support, a rotary shaft, a structure rotatably carried by said shaft comprising a peripheral arcuate contact surface and a peripheral arcuate insulating camming surface, said camming surface having its leading edge spaced rearwardly from the leading edge of said contact surface, an arcuate contact rib projecting axially from a face of said structure, first and second resilient contacts carried by said support adjacent the periphery of said structure and spaced apart circumferentially by a short distance less than the spacing of leading edges of said camming surface and said peripheral contact surface, said first resilient contact positioned to be engaged first by said peripheral contact surface to make contact, and second by said peripheral camrning surface to be moved out of contact with said peripheral contact surface, said second resilient contact having a portion extending over the face of said structure and positioned to be engaged by said contact rib, the leading edge of said rib being spaced rearwardly from the leading edge of said peripheral camming surface by an amount slightly greater than the spacing of said resilient contacts.

8. A switch comprising a support, a rotary structure on said shaft having a generally fiat circular front surface, an arcuate contact rib projecting forwardly from said surface, said structure having a peripheral contact surface and a peripheral, insulating, camming surface, a pair of resilient contacts mounted on said support rearwardly from said structure, one of said resilient contacts being positioned first to engage said peripheral contact surface and second to engage said peripheral camming surface to be moved thereby out of contact with said peripheral contact surface upon rotation of said structure, said other resilient contact extending forward over the front surface of said structure in position to be engaged by said contact rib upon rotation of said structure.

9. A switch comprising a support, a rotary structure on said shaft having a generally flat circular front surface, an arcuate contact rib projecting forwardly from said surface, said structure having a peripheral contact surface and a peripheral, insulating, camming surface, a pair of resilient contacts mounted on said support rearwardly from said structure, one of said resilient contacts being positioned first to engage said peripheral contact surface and second to engage said peripheral camming surface to be moved thereby out of contact with said peripheral contact surface upon rotation of said structure, said other resilient contact extending forward over the front surface of said structure in position to be engaged by said contact rib upon rotation of said structure, the leading edges of said contact rib and said camming surface being circumferentially spaced, said resilient contacts being circumferentially spaced by substantially the same amount, whereby said resilient contacts will make contact sequentially.

STUART H. CALDWELL. 

